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Elizabethville has a weeklong schedule of activities to mark its bicentennial from Aug. 12 to 19, culminating in country singer Lee Greenwood serving as grand marshal for the parade Aug. 19 and performing in concert that evening.

A Grammy Award winner and five-time country music male vocalist of the year, Greenwood agreed to be a part of the celebration nearly two years ago.

“As soon as I reached out to him, we got a favorable re-sponse,” Debra Boyer, bicentennial committee volunteer, said. “I found out that he does a lot of patriotic events for communities, and he gave us a great price.”

Initially, Greenwood didn’t think he’d be able to make it in time for the parade in this northern Dauphin County community after finishing another appearance in Virginia the day before, Mike Miller, Elizabethville Area Bicentennial Committee president, said.

After re-examining his travel schedule, Greenwood agreed to participate in the parade, Miller said. Cassandra Angst, the 2017 Miss Pennsylvania USA, is also slated to appear in the parade, he said.

The community support of the bicentennial activities has been appreciated, Miller said.

“We’ve had about 75 volunteers involved in the planning, fundraising and execution of our events. We’re blessed to have so many dedicated people and they’ve done a great job,” Miller said. “Our planning and fundraising have gone really well, and now we’ve got to pull off the execution.”

Borough families and businesses participated in the bicentennial beautification contest, embracing a patriotic theme in decorating front porches and storefronts.

“We had people out decorating around town and that turned out really well,” Dave Shadle, vice president of the bicentennial steering committee, said.

Miller, Shadle and Boyer were in the park Monday, working with crews to make sure the electrical systems were operating properly for the upcoming week of celebratory events. The list of winners of the beautification contest were released Tuesday. Visitors to the borough may want to view some of their handiwork. The winners included: Best of the Celebration Award, Jane and Karl Schader, 200 W. Broad St.; Best Neighborhood Effort, LuAnn Shadle, 166 E. Vicki Lane; Spirit Award, Christine Charles, 16 W. Main St.; and Judges Award, Steve and Tammy Wiest, 132 W. Main St. A complete list will be posted at www.elizabethville2017.org.

During Pool Day on Aug. 14, the Elizabethville Area Community Alliance will unveil a design of the new splash pad slated for the next phase of pool renovations. The EACA wants to make the splash pad project a joint effort between local businesses and organizations. The splash pad will be named in honor of the town’s bicentennial celebration. Pool Day is free and sunglasses will be given away to attendees.

Elizabethville’s grand finale celebration kicks off at noon Aug. 19 with a bicentennial parade. There are 90 entries slated to participate, Miller said. The procession will step off at noon from the Upper Dauphin Area High School to Market Street, then to Broad, Moore, Main, Bender and Church Street, and back to the high school.

The evening concludes with a concert at Elizabethville Veterans Memorial Park followed by fireworks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The opening act for Greenwood will be The Badlees, featuring Brett Alexander and Friends, at 6:30 p.m. Greenwood, known for his song “God Bless the USA,” will then take the stage for the grand finale. According to event organizers, “ ‘God Bless the USA’ has been voted the most recognizable patriotic song in America.”

The show has general admission and there are no assigned seats. Attendees should bring lawn chairs. Alcohol is not permitted. Tickets are $20 each and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3014202 or one of the following local businesses: Klinger Lumber Co., Kerwin & Kerwin Law Office, Deibler Straub and Troutman Insurance, or Broad Mountain Winery. Tickets will be scanned and attendees will receive a wristband. Tickets will not scan more than once.

Miller wants visitors to know that there’s limited parking in the borough. A free shuttle bus service will be provided. Visitors arriving in town can park for free at RiteScreen, a designated parking area, and then take the shuttle to the park. Handicap-accessible parking was made available within 50 yards of the ballfield, Miller said. All other parking will be at the RiteScreen location, just off Route 209.

There’s also a bag policy. No purses, handbags, diaper bags, backpacks, briefcases, fanny packs, camera bags or binocular cases will be allowed. Guests can bring a clear one-gallon plastic bag, one per person, and a wristlet no larger than 4-by-6-inch by 1 inch with or without a strap.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Bicentennial events

Saturday, Aug. 12

· Sounding of the horns, sirens and bells, and demonstration by Reliance Hose Company No. 1 at 9 a.m. at Upper Dauphin Area High School

· Borough time capsule opening by Elizabethville Area Historical Society at 11:30 a.m. at the society’s parking lot, 100 Main St.

· Community day and borough’s 200th birthday party with games, prizes and snacks for kids ages 2 to 9 from noon to 4 p.m. at Elizabethville Borough Park

· Wine garden tasting and chicken barbecue from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the park

· Bicentennial pentathlon with age groups 9 to 13 and 14 to 18 from noon to 5 p.m. at the park

Sunday, Aug. 13

· Community worship service at 10:30 a.m. at the high school

· Potluck lunch and musical entertainment by Men In Harmony following the worship service at the high school

· “Old Timers” baseball game at 3 p.m. at the legion ballfield

Monday, Aug. 14

· Pool Day hosted by the bicentennial committee and Elizabethville Area Community Alliance from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 15

· Pet parade at 6:30 p.m. at the legion ballfield, followed by live entertainment by Gas Station Disco

Wednesday, Aug. 16

· Block party with live entertainment by Britishmania, a Beatles Tribute Band at 7 p.m. at the park

Thursday, Aug. 17

· Baby parade at 6:30 p.m. at the ballfield

· Block party with live entertainment from Whiskey Shooter at the park

Friday, Aug. 18

· Community business day

· Block party with live entertainment from Shotgunn at 7 p.m. at the park

Saturday, Aug. 19

· Bicentennial parade at noon

· Concert and fireworks with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. at the park

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